Timeliness

A charge must be filed with EEOC within 180 days from the date of the alleged violation, in order to protect the charging party's rights.

This 180-day filing deadline may be extended to 300 days if the charge also is covered by a state or local anti-discrimination law.

These time limits do not apply to claims under the Equal Pay Act, because under that Act persons do not have to first file a charge with EEOC in order to have the right to go to court. However, since many EPA claims also raise Title VII sex discrimination issues, it may be advisable to file charges under both laws within the time limits indicated.

Norfolk Local Office Information

In Virginia, an individual has 300 days from the date of alleged harm to file a charge with this office against an employer with 15 or more employees for discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and/or disability. In North Carolina, an employee has 300 days from the date of alleged harm to file a charge with this office against an employer with 15 or more employees for discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and/or disability only if the employee is a state or county employee covered by the North Carolina State Personnel Act.

In Virginia, an individual has 300 days from the date of alleged harm to file a charge with this office against a private, city or county employer with 20 or more employees for discrimination based on age. In North Carolina, an individual has 300 days from the date of alleged harm to file a charge with this office against a private, city or county employer with 20 or more employees for discrimination based on age only if the employee is a state or county employee covered by the North Carolina State Personnel Act. Charges against employers of less than 15 employees (for race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and/or disability) or less than 20 employees (for age) must be filed with the appropriate state or local agency within the time limits prescribed by state or local laws. This time limit is 180 days in the States of North Carolina and Virginia.

To protect your legal rights, it is always best to contact EEOC promptly when discrimination is suspected.